Retail
Types of Lighting in Retail

Light Coverage
To ensure that your space will look great , you will want to go back to your total lumens.
The Lighting Research Center recommends that retail stores aim for an ambient light measurement of 1.5 to 2.5 lumens per cubic foot. To calculate this, you first need to calculate the cubic area of your retail space, using this formula: Width x Length x Height of your sales floor = Total Cubic Area.
Then, multiply that total by 1.5-2.5 to get an estimate of appropriate lumens for the space.
After you figure up the total lumens needed to light the space, add up the total lumens provided by the bulbs in your lighting plan. Does the total number of lumens in your plan come close to the lumens needed per your cubic foot formula? If it’s close, then you’re on track. If your plan’s total lumens is greater, you can pare back lighting in some areas. If it’s lower than the recommended amount, you may need to fill in some gaps with more ambient lighting.
Why Is Lighting So Important In Retail Environments?
There has been a lot of research carried out into the importance of lighting in retail environments and on the impact it has on the behaviours and moods of shoppers. For example, a study by the Lighting Laboratory at Sweden’s Royal Institute of Technology revealed that:
Consumers generally prefer warm lighting and moderate levels of brightness over cold, harsh lighting.
Brighter lighting systems are more effective when used within shop windows as they attract the attention of passers-by.
Vertical lighting fixtures are more effective than horizontal ones when helping to ensure that products stand out from their immediate surroundings.
A variety of different lighting systems are the most visually appealing and stimulating when used in conjunction with one another as our eyes are naturally drawn to areas of contrast.
Altering the colour temperature and intensity of retail lighting according to the time of day ensures that customers feel more comfortable when browsing.